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Blank Faced Deck by Mark Mason

Created by: Mark Mason

The Blank Faced Deck is a close-up card magic trick that allows magicians to create a unique and memorable experience for their audience. Spectators are given a blank-faced card to draw anything they like, making the card entirely unique. The magician then performs a routine where the drawn card is magically revealed or manipulated in impossible ways. This trick emphasizes personalization and audience interaction, making each performance unique. It's suitable for magicians who perform in close-up settings and want to add a personal touch to their routines.

Key features

  • Uses a blank-faced deck of cards for unique audience interaction

  • Allows spectators to draw their own designs on the cards, making each performance unique

  • Suitable for close-up magic performances

  • Creates a strong magical experience by eliminating the possibility of duplicate cards

Pros

  • Highly personalized experience for the audience

  • Strong magical effect with the unique card reveal

  • Versatile and can be incorporated into various routines

  • Encourages audience participation and engagement

Cons

  • Limited to 52 uses before needing to replace the deck if each card is drawn on

  • Requires a pen or marker for spectators to draw on the cards

Effect

The Blank Faced Deck is a magic trick where a spectator draws a unique design on a blank playing card. The magician then performs a series of impossible feats with the card, such as making it vanish, reappear, or travel to impossible locations. The spectator’s custom-drawn card becomes the centerpiece of the routine, making the magic feel personal and impossible to duplicate.

Full Details

The Blank Faced Deck consists of a standard deck of cards with one key difference: some or all of the faces are blank. This allows the spectator to create their own custom card by drawing anything they choose. The magician can then perform various effects, such as:

  • Making the drawn card vanish and reappear in a pocket.
  • Causing the entire deck to transform into blank cards except for the spectator’s design.
  • Having the card impossibly travel from one location to another.

The trick relies on clever sleight of hand and psychological misdirection, ensuring that the spectator never suspects the method. The blank cards also allow the magician to maintain control over the deck’s order, preventing unwanted selections.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for:

  • Close-up magicians who want a highly interactive and personalized effect.
  • Workers who perform at events where spectators appreciate a keepsake (they can keep their drawn card).
  • Creatives who enjoy customizing their routines with unique spectator contributions.

Difficulty

The Blank Faced Deck is moderate in difficulty. While the basic handling is straightforward, the magician must be comfortable with:

  • Misdirection – Ensuring the spectator focuses on the drawing process rather than the method.
  • Sleight of hand – Some versions require card controls or switches.
  • Presentation – Making the spectator’s drawing feel organic and not forced.

Mike Sullivan mentions that he uses Mark Mason’s routine, which simplifies the process by keeping the deck in order and avoiding forced selections.

What Magicians Say

  • Mike Sullivan (AlakazamMagicUK) praises the Blank Faced Deck for its ability to make magic feel unique and impossible to duplicate. He says, "Getting them to draw something that is totally unique means there's no way on this Earth that I could duplicate it... it makes the magic that much stronger."
  • The trick is also noted for its examinability—spectators can check the blank cards before and after the effect, reinforcing the impossibility.

The Blank Faced Deck is a versatile and powerful tool for magicians who want to create a memorable, interactive experience. Its combination of personalization and strong magic makes it a standout choice for performers.

What people are saying about Blank Faced Deck

Mike Sullivan says...

I never get a card signed out of a deck of cards... I want you to make me one and then I say I pull out a blank-faced card and I say I know the guy who makes these cards the backs are the same but the front is blank give them a pen and say I want you to draw anything you like make it as unique as possible.

Review videos